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Noisy Mumbai

every year the noise level increases by one decibel (db ) in Mumbai. According to a preliminary study, the city is becoming increasingly noisy and this year, the average noise levels have touched 78 db while the recommended day-time norm for residential areas is 55 db . Studies have shown that high noise levels can cause psychological and physiological damage. The survey shows that the noisiest areas are Sion Circle, Kalbadevi, Byculla, Crawford Market, Andheri, Ghatkopar, Vile Parle and Santa Cruz.

"Technically, the whole island is a silence zone. In practice, this is not observed even in the silence zones demarcated around schools and hospitals observe,' says Saad Ali, president of the Bombay Environmental Action Group. In fact, limits laid down by the Union environment ministry's 1989 notification are so universally violated that they are redundant.

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